New York City FC (8 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws) hosts the Colorado Rapids (5-6-3) at Yankee Stadium Sunday. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the New York City FC vs. Colorado Rapids odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
In a 3-way tie for first place in the Eastern Conference, New York City FC does sit atop the conference in points per game.
They’re led by 23-year-old Argentinian F Valentín Castellanos who has 7 goals on the season. NYCFC first and foremost suffocates opponents defensively. They’ve allowed just 10 goals in 13 games.
As for Colorado, after finishing atop the Western Conference last season, they sit in 11th place.
The Rapids’ struggles this season are in their attack, having scored just 16 goals in 14 games while allowing 17. F Diego Rubio leads the team with 7 goals while F Michael Barrios tops the team with 3 assists.
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New York City FC vs. Colorado Rapids odds, lines, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:42 a.m. ET.
- Money line: New York City FC -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Colorado Rapids +520 (bet $100 to win $520) | Draw +340
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -140 | U: +115)
[tipico]
Prediction
New York City FC 1, Colorado Rapids 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN DRAW +350.
Colorado has just 5 wins on the season but has had more expected goals than its opponent in 10 of its 14 games. It is better than its record has shown, especially on the road. It has 5 road losses in 6 games.
However, in 4 of those 6 games, it has more expected goals. With a top-tier defense that’s still intact and a lethal combination in Barrios and Rubio, they should be able to hang with NYCFC.
NYCFC is 6-1-1 at home which is why Colorado is given this value.
This is certainly just a lean given NYCFC’s form, but having just 4 points in their first 5 games, this 4-game win streak will come to an end at some point. They’re unbeaten in 8 straight as well.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (+115).
Both Colorado and NYCFC rank in the top 10 in opponents’ shots.
They both also rank in the top 5 in clean sheets. NYCFC has gone under this total in 5 straight while the Rapids are under this total in 5 of their last 7.
They’re both defensive-first teams, and although each has competent forwards, neither is known for its attack.
While NYCFC does have 25 goals in 13 games, take away 3 games of 4 or more goals, and they’re down to 10 in 10 games which isn’t nearly as impressive.
Couple that with the Rapids’ 1.14 goals per game average, and the under seems like the best option.
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